Friday, February 22, 2013

Youghal and Outdoor Exercise By The Ocean

View from our apartment in Youghal, overloooking Blackwater River

One morning this past Autumn, whilst vacationing in Youghal, Ireland, I took an early morning walk through the streets of this hilly town toward the ocean. There are six outdoor exercise machines installed throughout the town along a route called Slí na Sláinte, the walking trail devised in conjunction with the Irish
Heart Foundation and can be found (and utilised) as one walks passed the Lighthouse towards The Strand.

57 comments:

Gorgeous views! I would have crept up those steps to see what the house was like. We have a cycling path which runs along the seafront. There are also a few freestanding exercise bars, but I've never seen anyone use them.

The views are spectacular. You know me and yes I trespassed and had close up of private residences. The cycling path must be beautiful. Perhaps the novelty but I did see a few use the machines.To a glorious weekend

Hello RosemaryWe never tire of the view and the sunrise, as we face East.Thanks for the information on the Tyrol woods. When I commented to an elderly man, how great that one does not have to pay membership fees to a gym. He said: "Sure, my girleen when you've walked "The Sli",you have paid your dues". Helen xx

Starting at the end.. I love Imelda May and her Irish Rock a billy band.. I will look her up on U tube.. wow.. It really makes one want to rock..Youghal, looks a very beautiful serene place Helen.How I always say.. I would love to visit Ireland one day.We do not have those exercise bikes here.. The local municipality offers gym classes..free, but I dont go.I am lazy , I suppose. A great Idea.Wishing you a happy weekend Helen.val x

What a great idea Helen ...... exercising whilst looking at those stunning views. I've never seen that before. Such a beautiful part of the world and I want to see what the house is like through that inticing arch !! XXXX

It was a first time for me seeing outdoor exercise stations.It was heavenly doing leg presses as the sun rose over the hill.It is a very special town and not large enough to attract the tourist buses, so still very much an Irish town, yet has excellent restaurants and services.

Imelda May has great talent. Here is an exerpt from a concert at the Isle of Wright http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jOZ4w9cViwHer music makes me want to dance. She also writes, as does her husband. It is good to have complimentary gyms, especially when weather sends us indoors.Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend

Hello. Good afternoon. The views of Ireland, oh my dear, look stunning. I'm not sure if I will have a chance to do physical exercises with a view like this as I will probably be too busy with daydreaming in the idyllic setting. I'm so sure that you are proud of your beautiful heritage.

Although I've never been to Ireland, I feel I'm already well acquainted with its people and culture...their innate and natural ability to string beautiful sentences together. Joyce, Wilde, Elizabeth Bowen, Somerville & Ross, Patrick Campbell, Frank O' Connor - I love them all and I devour their Irish wit and abilities to cast a spell on readers with soaring sentences after sentences. I would look back and ask: how did you do that? I still believe that the best English writers are Irish.

Cead mile failte. How lovely of you to visit this afternoon in your corner of paradise. I hope some day you will visit Ireland, as I would surely love to read your account of your observations and experiences.

Athough I had absolutely nothing to do with it, I do treasure my heritage. It is so much a part of who we are and impossible to hide from it. You list some of Ireland's most brilliant writers. I find your writing ASD to be superb and your posts, I re-read.Enjoy your weekend overlooking the ocean

How nice the exercise equipment is so readily available to all. Beautiful views and sounds like a spot in Ireland I'd love to see whe. I get to go back. My first and only trip there included all the tourist spots -- and caused me to fall in love with the country and its people. But next time I want to see out of the way places.

I love the entrance to the first residence! Like me, you must be very curious and inquisitive. Ireland seems like a wonderful place. I can see that the blue of the Ocean is something that you take with you , everywhere. Blue is predominant in all your paintings, Helen. I know, because, like you, I lived by the sea and it somehow seems to haunt me. My daughter laughs at me, when I say:" I take the sea with me, everywhere I go. I feel like I belong to the sea and the sea belongs to me." But I think you know what I mean, Helen, don't you?

Hello Helen:This seems to us to be an excellent use of locally raised taxes. Indeed the idea of 'fitness machines' in public places is something which we have not come across before. Well done to the local council.

But such a beautiful spot. And those houses with their views out to sea really are something special. Your 'Irish' posts always make us somewhat wistful for what surely is the most beautiful of countries.

Oh, m'y Helen,I have to agree with Teresa at la Dolfina, (even the trash can is a thing of European beauty) not fair that the U.S could not adopt some soul in creating pieces we find to be artistic.Did you know that I am Irish and French, my grandfather on my fathers side was full blooded Irish, and Ireland is a place my daughter and I both long to visit. Your photos captured the beauty of what we know a visit would be, love this town you visited how did it not leave you breathless?

Thank you Helen for your faithful visits to my place ones that encourage the pieces I see artfully added to my home that I find peace and calm in.Keep painting us those inspiring places of beauty soulfully.

We have a nature walk in Des Moines where we live in the summer that has exercise units along the way. They are more rough-hewn than those you show here...made of large wooden chunks that fit well in the green forested area.

Your early morning walk in Ireland is beautiful - the view from your apartment is amazing! These outside gyms have be appearing in Dorset in the past year. They do seem to be popular with all ages!Sarah x

Hello SarahI felt that the outdoor gyms must be elsewhere and happy to read Dorset has some. I thoroughly enjoy my morning walk and there are many regular walkers of all ages. Our apartment is beautiful and comfortable.

Hello Helen, what wonderful pictures you have taken Helen. I love the idea of excercising whilst taking in the views and sea breezes. The little arched doorway is so cute.Much love to you, and enjoy the rest of the weekend, love Linda x

Hello MadeliefThanks for your compliment on my photography. You would like this town I feel. It is an Irish town, no tour buses stop here, one must walk or drive the back streets to fully know it.Have a great week

We don't have them in our town but I wish we did. The only other place I have ever seen a public outdoor exercise area was in Annecy, France. Such a great idea.Youghal looks to be a beautiful place.I love Imelda May ... always gets my foot tapping!

I can see you dancing to Imelda May. I would like to see her in concert some time. I am learning more about the placement of outdoor exercise machines, now France has them too. I think we need to get some here in Florida.

What gorgeous scenery. I love how you captured the image of the private residence; it looks absolutely enchanting! There's something about living so close to water, isn't there? Mystical and dreamy, full of depth and mystery!

Hello Helen, These are indeed, a great innovation and, Yes! I have seen them around. My stepson and DIL take their, four Maltese terriers for walks in a park which has been equipped with great gear near Worthing in southern England. Last time we were there we all had a go.I also remember such equipment in the park around the school that I taught at, in Melbourne, Oz.All we need where I live is the weather to enjoy it all.Cheers gillian

Helen I think this is wonderful; bravo to Ireland! We do not have any outdoor exercise equipment but if anyone could use it those of us in Aberdeen. I think it's quite sad how a healthy lifestyle is not part of our local culture. Smoking and binge drinking prevails and I think the National Health Service is going to be very strained in the years to come. What would be better than good exercise down by the sea; fresh air and stunning views. In your case, motivational music too!! Happy new weekend to you Helen.Cheers, Deb